DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce is seeking feedback from private investors on four fish farming and aquaculture projects being established in the country to ensure stable supply of fish and shrimp throughout the year.
The projects with an expected production capacity of 7,000 tonnes of fish and aquatic produce are being set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, with participation of the private sector.
The Technical Committee to stimulate private sector participation in economic development projects at the ministry said that the project aims to increase domestic fish production to meet the continuing increase in the demand and provide high quality products to the market.
Fish farming and aquaculture are one of the most active production systems with the ability to control the climatic factors to achieve mass production.
The aquaculture project to be set up along the coastal site of El Arish will cover an area of 111 hectares, with an estimated production capacity of not less than 1,000 tonnes per year. The project is expected to reach its maximum production capacity within 42 months.
The three projects for fish farming and aquaculture through floating cage system within the deep water will be set up in the northern part of the state with a total area of 270 hectares.
Each project covers an area of 90 hectares, with a production capacity of not less than 2,000 tonnes per year.
The three projects are expected to reach their maximum production capacity within 36 months.
The committee, in coordination with authorities will be responsible for delivering all the necessary facilities for the implementation of the four projects, and facilitating the procurement of approvals, permits and licences.
The committee has launched an opinion poll seeking feedback from potential investors on varieties of aquatic organisms that can be farmed in these projects and on ways to achieve good production rates and the cost of the capital for establishment of these farms.
The survey also seeks opinion regarding the appropriateness of establishing such projects within their allocated space and the proposed technologies that suit the climatic conditions of the country, which are crucial for food security.
The poll will reflect the opinion of the interested entrepreneurs regarding the ability to reach full production capacity specified for each project based on the proposed schedule for these projects, and their vision about the degree of competitiveness for such products, in terms of quality and price, for both domestic and imported products.
The Technical Committee for the Promotion of Private Sector Engagement in Economic Development Projects is a sub-committee of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Municipal and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Industry, Ministry of Transport and Communications, the State Audit Bureau (as an observer), Public Works Authority, Economic Zones Company “MANATEQ”, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation “KAHRAMAA”, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and Qatar Chamber.
